Replies to This Discussion

Well, it really depends on the religious beliefs of the family members. Jehovah's Witness, Mormons, and other fundamentalist Christian sects are more prone to ostracizing. Shunning is actively taught for some of them. More moderate "mainline" and non-denominational groups typically don't practice shunning. I personally have no problems with it because my family is Catholic and non-denominational protestant.

If his father uses a computer, rides in a motorized or non-motorized vehicle, he is in fellowship with nonbelievers, believers of different gods, etc.

Something that often amazes me is the disconnection idealogues feel from the worldliness around them.

By distancing himself from his own son, he denies his own humanity, as well as his son's. This is an example of why some atheists consider theism a mental illness.

It is not a far distance from saying "my son does not follow me, so I deny my part in his life" to "my god does some bad things, but I deny that I have any part in that or any responsibility to anyone not in my religion".

Man is just plain 'f--ked up'. Sadly I have known a few 'friends' that thought nothing of doing this, even after knowing me for years without a clue as to my religious/nonreligious position. Sadly it just seems twisted.

Thanks for the official notice of ostracization. Just to let you know, I have legally changed my last name and adopted this really cool recent acquaintance as my surrogate father. He loves me unconditionally and respects my right to free thought. Imagine that.

This seems only a little 'out there', but I can understand the kick-back!

My father thought I was not a proper male due to my nerdy sensibilities. He did not like my doubts about our catholic roots, while I was in high school. About the only time I was on his 'good side' was when we shared similar ideas about Vietnam, and when I computed board feet for the efficient cutting of an oak log!

I spent alot of time with him when he was on his death bed and suffering from his dementia. Sometimes I think that a few more classes from him about being a hyper-male might have been helpful, sadly I had to learn a few worldly survival concepts on my own. Watching him kill a rattle snake 'just because', turned me off to hunting and guns. Watching him abuse alcohol, and family members turned me permanently off violence, and on to personal responsibility and kindness. Sadly we share a world with people that do not always have values of civility, dad was a good example of what not to do, but the world was changing around him, not always for the better. Atleast dad was not a hyper-catholic. I was free to explore, as long as I kept quiet about!